Eurovision 2017

Published May 13, 2017

EUROVISION — my annual serial drama/talent show, limited to Europe, Israel and sometimes Australia (but no one knows why). Year over year – kinda all over the place – never know what you’re gonna see. It’s rarely ’bout the music.

With the exception of a few – Abba & Celine Dion – Eurovision winners never cross the Atlantic nor make any US impact. Rap, rock, jazz, lotta ballads, lotta Euro pop. Each country nominates an artist & supplies an original tune…Eurovision is a ‘song’ contest.

This year’s event comprised 40+ contestants, LIVE from Ukraine – home of last year’s winner, Jamala. Opening drama? Russia’s entrant, Julia Samoylova, was not allowed to enter the country. Political rift between Ukraine & Russia.

And then there were 42…

Over 4 nights watched all 42 videos, re-watched my favourites, made my selections.

Last year I favored Ukraine’s highly emotional 1944, lyrical retelling of Crimea’s ethic Tatars forced deportation. Gravitated to light & happy this season, settled on: Romania & Belarus.

Other faves: Hungary (digged the gypsy beat & mid-section rap—lyrics too political), Sweden (sexy slick production—catchy hook, but no substance), Georgia (powerful singer—too ‘American Idol’), Netherlands (the Dutch ‘Wilson Phillips’—harmonies tight, song weak) & Ireland (young kid, song grew on me—but Ireland never makes the Grand Final).

Critics favourite: Portugal. Didn’t hate it, just didn’t get it. 1950’s style ballad, fit in with Eurovision’s 60^th anniversary theme.

Accurately called much of the Top 10 – but certainly didn’t nail it this year.

Neither Georgia nor Ireland made the Finals. Romania & Hungary: FUN videos, weak LIVE performances. Sweden & Belarus, the complete package…though think only I liked the folksy couple from Minsk (finished 17^th).

This year’s winner: Portugal, followed by Bulgaria & Moldova.

Win some, lose some. Still stand by my pick, gonna Yodel It! all year – awaiting EUROVISION 2018, LIVE from Lisbon!

Dancing with the Stars (Bride edition)

Published May 12, 2017

Less than a month ‘til Ash & Tom’s Colorado wedding. Deadlines & historic moments flying by at record pace.

April 19^th – attended Ash’s final dress fitting
May 5^th – couple picked up their marriage license in Boulder

But most important, there have been dance lessons – 3 of them to be exact. Talking ‘bout father-daughter lessons of course. Yep, I was a bit slow on the uptake – but the final result? FAAANNNTASTIC!! Thanks to ‘miracle worker’ Lindsay at Streetside Dance in Boulder.

Performed in front of Lindsay’s real dance students Friday afternoon, our final lesson. Yikes!

Now for the BIG stage May 28^th – WEDDING day 🙂

: final dress fitting

: WOW!

: it’s ‘almost’ official — SUPER excited!

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Toronto Marathon

Published May 7, 2017

4:45am alarm, crazy tired start to marathon morning. Living B-I-G can have its drawbacks.

comparing FINISHER bling

Didn’t end Super Saturday early, even after a FULL day at Niagara Falls. My Canadian bestie next drove us from her Brampton home to downtown Toronto (45 minutes away). Trip wouldn’t be complete without a ride UP the CN Tower, tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Sarah however had other ideas. No trip would be complete without FINE DINING at the WORLD’s highest & largest revolving restaurant – 1,152ft UP. Yeah, yeah we walked out on a scary glass panel (2 floors BENEATH the restaurant) – but it’s our fancy 3-course meal, I’ll long remember. Thanks friend, GREAT idea!

Home by 11pm – morning came early. 5:15am climbed in Sarah’s car Milo, arrived at Ontario Place by 6am. 45-minute bus ride to Mel Lastman Square (marathon Start), dropped between the North York Civic Centre & Toronto Centre for the Arts.

7:30am Start, Orange Corral. Caught the 4 hour pace group after 2K (no miles today — we’re in Canada, running 42.2K). Cold damp day but unlike yesterday, no rain. After running in shorts the past 2 weeks, risked getting hot & donned a ski jacket…trying to outthink today’s 2^nd Half along wind-happy Lake Ontario.

One steep climb 5K in. 3:50 pacers passed me going up, I caught them on the down. Stayed just ahead thru 25K. HUGE blast off Toronto’s Great Lake pushed me backward. Pacing bunny (that’s what they’re called in O’ Canada) went by on the left…and that was that. No mo’ gas. Flat course ‘round the lake (Martin Goodman Trail) but went out too fast too early. Strong headwind next 7 miles, running 9:40-10/min miles.

Entering Humber Bay Park, passed by the 4 hour pack. Wind at my back, 35K to the Finish. Slow/run combo to the end, no more slog. Either gonna run or walk fast – but no more humped shoulders/slow jog.

Realize I went out too fast today but on the right path – know I got it in me, I WILL PR this year. It will happen.

Back at Ontario Place, marathon FINISH #89. Couple seconds quicker than last weekend, 2^nd fastest run of 2017. Third province completed & a new Canadian PR (almost 30 minutes better).

Convoluted flight path home, Monday morning work day awaits. Sunshine – home, sweet Colorado home 🙂